2. speakers
  3. 1270447920

I think I've made up my mind

After having auditioned the following :

1. Avantgarde Uno G2 + Audio Note SET amp/Pathos Twin Towers integrated amp
2. Magico V2 + Soulution 720 pre + 710 power amps
3. Sonus Faber Elipsa/Wilson Sasha + ARC Ref 3 + Ref 110
4. Thiel CS3.7 + Parasound JC1 pre + JC2 power amps

...and after weighing all factors like room interaction, degree of difficulty of setting-up, value for money, magazine reviews, and comments posted here and AVguide.com....

...the winner is: Thiel CS3.7 + Parasound JC1/JC2!

Now for the cables. MF and JA of Stereophile noted that the specs of Parasound show ultra-wide bandwidth and high-current capability which reminds me of Spectral amps. Therefore, would MIT Magnum MA speaker cables and interconnects be a good match? Anyone has any other suggestion? Thanks.
jtein
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
John, that would cause a high frequency roll-off, no? I'm not sure if that is what is meant here by dull, but the Ref 3 certainly sounded dynamic as heck, but that was into a 100kohm load, I think Pass amps need SS preamps or tube pre with 500ohm or less Zout.
ack's avatar
ack
115 posts
 
Rrog: > So, they tell you to use MIT or it will void your warranty.

Nonsense. I suggest you start by understanding SS amplifier designs, especially those with extremely wide bandwidth and no chokes, then you will perhaps understand that the MIT/Spectral cables limit that bandwidth to something manageable in the range of 800kHz, that keeps the transistors within acceptable operational thermal limits.

The amps will not die immediately without the MIT/Spectral cables, but long term they will cease to operate - has happened way too many times to those that think they know better.
ack's avatar
ack
115 posts
 
Rrog: > My point is; what's at the end of the speaker cable?

The missing output inductor, with a value that compensates precisely the length of the cable purchased that carries its own RLC characteristic values. In the end, they limit the bandwidth of the amplifier to 800kHz (-3dB) and they optimize all electrical characteristics from the input cables to the tip of the speaker cables.
rrog
1,958 posts
 

Spectral could have easily incorporated bandwidth limiting in their amplifiers and allowed the use of other cables. So, what do you think the reason is for the MIT speaker cable requirement? Could it be money from MIT for telling their customers they have to use MIT speaker cables? They are also telling you to use MIT interconnects.

This is an example of where highend audio has gone wrong.

Don't get me wrong. Spectral makes very fine equipment. I just don't agree their philosophy on some things.
ack's avatar
ack
115 posts
 
Rrog: > Spectral could have easily incorporated bandwidth limiting in their amplifiers and allowed the use of other cables.

NO. Per my previous response, the inductor in the cable box optimizes the electrical RLC characteristics of the LENGTH PURCHASED. No fixed inductor in the amplifier would ever achieve perfect matching with any but one cable of a one particular length.

They like to optimize the entire chain, it's as simple as that. Same goes for the interconnects. If you don't like, don't buy their products.

Rrog: > This is an example of where highend audio has gone wrong.

I think this is where your analysis falls flat.
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